The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-12-24
HETTYS PRESENT.
\ CHRISTMAS SKETCH.

The middle of December is generally not
a pleasant season of the year. The air is
gray and raw; the frozen ground is not as
yet mantled with the pearl and ermine of
the snow fall; the sun sets in red blur be-
hind the shuddering copses; and to all ap-
pearances Nature is still mourning for the
glories of the departed autumn-time.
But then, in contrast, there is something
very exhilarating in the associations of the
season, and perhaps that was the reason
that Gilbert Gray's eyes sparkled so bright
ly and that he whistled CHEEKY old tune,
as he came INTO the little stting-room of
the owroofed house, where there was a
bright fire in the wood-stove and Hetty
Plover sat at work behind the big geranium
plant.
"Here is your parcel, Miss Plover,"
said he.
"Oh," said Hetty, "yes-my worsted and
patterns. am much obliged to you, Mr..
Gray, for bringing them from the express
office. Perhaps | shall make something
pretty for YOU"
Gilbert's face lighted up; he flushed with
sudden pleasure.
'Indeed, Miss Plover, /"
"Oh, you needn't make such a favor of
it," said Hetty, maliciously. 81 always
make little trifc at Christmas time for
every one of papas clerks.
"You are very kind!" said Gilbert
The thermometer of his happiness had
fallen dozen degrees at once. OF course
it was very ungrateful of him that the same
favor which, individually speaking, would
have lifted him into the very empyrean of
happiness, has lost its special sweetness
when it came TO be distributed among every
one of ''papa's clerks"
After all, what was he but unit in the
number? What right had he TO expect that
he should be especially remembered? Was
not Hetty Plover-the very prettiest girl in
all that Western settlement, which was
called "Ployerville," after her father?-the
reigning belle of the neighborhood? Vas
not George IIervey at that moment hunt.
ing for "velYet-rmneI" and "princess pine
in the woods to help make Christmas decor
ations for her best parlor? And John Mere
dith seeking high and low for clusters OF
black-green mistletoe, to hang from the
hall lantern in the Plover house? And
Junus Field carving wooden frames, with
cedar sprigs. for her walls, in the intervals
lNf oil iun m or A,,.lf
had all been in Nj. Ployer's employment
before he had come,
Alas. what chance was there for Il pool
fellow like himself, who had neither wealth
rank, nor position to back him? Nothing
but his own honest heart, stalwart figure
and handsome face!
81 was fool ever to allow my thoughts
to dwell upon her." he told himself, as he
won't dejectedly back to the pile of bank
books that were waiting to be balanced
''If, out of the sweet generosity of her ma
ture, she is good enough to bestow some
trhe of her own workmanship upon me,
shall treasure it always. 1t will mark oui
this Christmas from all other Christmases
but shall be even more insane than am
now to allow myself to be in any way mis-
led by itp'
While Aunt Pamela looked gravely al
Hetty from over the rims of her spectacles
Chester, Hesterw said she, "why do you
torment thai poor young MANI"
81, Aunt PamelaT'
"When you know all the time that you
like himr'
Hetty tossed her pretty head, all clustered
around with soft, Gully rings of yellow
brown hair; the blue e. es, jus the color OF
old Canton china, sparkled rogushly.
"Well-and If do like him? Am | to
betray every feeling bave?'
"You might at least be commonly civil, ,"
said Aunt Pamela, reproachfully. "You
talk of making something pretty" when
you have been all autumn working on those
velvet slippers, stitched in arrasene, that
are intended for him -
'Must tell him so, Aunt Pamela?"
"Child,' argued the old lady, "there is
reason in all things. Why did you return
from Doctor Crewe's with Junius Field,
when Mr.. Gray had come all that distance
for the pleasure of walking back at your
side?''
"I-I thought | would" murmured
Hetty, apparently intent on selecting par
ticular shade of scarlet wool ont of the
masses that lay in lap.
''Why did you wear John Meredth's
flowers to Miss Hale's party-those great
vulgar camellias = and leaYe Mr. Gray's
English violets TO fade at home on youl
dressing-table?" pursued the chatechiser
~ shouldn't wonder" declared Aunt
Pamela, "if he committed suicide one OF
these days IN sheer despair at the manner
/ in which you treat himr
"Young men don't commit suicide now
adays, Aunt Pamela, said Hetty, with 4
little forced laugh.
But the old lady's words had set her t
thinking She was glad that the velye
slippers were so beautiful-so much prettle